Financial Facts from the Board: Certified Tax Rates & Truth in Taxation

Posted on

Do you know how Utah’s property tax system works?
In Utah, property tax rates adjust each year so the taxing entity will receive the same total tax proceeds it received in the prior year, except for any new property developments. This means that as property values increase, the property tax rate decreases so the resulting tax revenue is the same as the prior year. Only new developments that were not on the tax rolls in the prior year yield new property tax dollars for a taxing entity. No adjustments are made for inflation. The county auditor and the State Tax Commission calculate this tax rate and it is called the Certified Tax Rate. Governing bodies, such as the Board of Education, may increase the tax rate from the Certified Tax Rate only if they go through a process called Truth in Taxation. Truth in Taxation requires the entity to hold a public hearing to provide an opportunity for residents to comment on the proposal before an increase may occur.

The Jordan School District Board of Education is holding a Truth in Taxation hearing on Aug. 2 at 6 p.m. at Riverton High School.

Jordan is one of a handful of districts in the State that has had just one Truth in Taxation since 2011.

Number of Truth in Taxation Hearings 2011-2021

Number of Truth in Taxation Hearings 2011-2021

Want to know more about how District Dollars are working for you?  Please visit our Financial Facts from the Board of Education page.

Trading Screen Time for Sun Time

Posted on

Wellness Wednesday LogoOur mind and body need time outside, every day. Many of our students love their screen time, and without school to take up their day, they may be tempted to spend most of that free time in front of some kind of device.

Though games, screens, and devices aren’t necessarily bad for students, time spent in front of screens isn’t really beneficial for mental and physical health. Too much screen time might mean not enough time exercising, interacting with peers, or developing new skills and hobbies.

Rather than condemn or eliminate screen time, families could consider trading screen time with other positive healthy behaviors. It’s good to start small with these kinds of trades, trading 30 minutes of screen time for 30 minutes of sun time is an easy start to creating a balanced lifestyle.

Time in the sun produces essential vitamins and chemical reactions in the brain and body that support students’ mental and physical health (use the sunscreen though if you will be out for extended periods of time!). Sun time can be combined with other healthy actions, like calling or chatting with a friend or family member, active exercise or walking, developing a skill, or trying a hobby like a puzzle or an art project. Combining our sun time with other positive actions like these can make it even more beneficial!

This week’s challenge is to trade a small amount of screen time for sun time. Even 30 minutes per day of this trade can enhance mental health for our students! Let’s get outside as often as possible this summer and feel the benefits to our mental and physical health.

For more wellness resources visit wellness.jordandistrict.org.

Financial Facts from the Board: Board Local Levy

Posted on

Did you know the Jordan School District Board Local Levy is the third lowest in the state?
Of the 41 school districts in Utah, Jordan School District has the third lowest Board Local Levy. Only Wayne and Piute school districts are lower. The Board of Education is responsible for the Board Local Levy and is considering a rate increase.

Board Local Levy

Board Local Levy All Districts – Tax Year 2021

Board Local Levy

Board Local Levy – Tax Year 2021

Want to know more about how District Dollars are working for you?  Please visit our Financial Facts from the Board of Education page.

Supercast Episode 145: Student Auto Body Talents Wow Crowd at BHS Classic Car Show

Posted on

Superintendent sits in a green hot rodThere were classic cars, souped-up lawn mowers and some pretty fancy farm equipment. Students in the Bingham High School Auto Body class worked their magic turning cars and trucks into something special.

On this episode of the Supercast we fire up the engines and head to the annual classic car show at Bingham High School. It is an event that gives students a chance to show off their talents and creativity when it comes to cars and a wide variety of vehicles.

Financial Facts from the Board: Unrestricted Fund Balance (Strategic Reserves)

Posted on

Do you know what the District’s unrestricted fund balance is?
The District’s unrestricted fund balance or strategic reserves, is all of our State, Federal and local funding that is not restricted, committed or assigned to a specific program, project or purpose.

As a result of consistently increasing teacher pay, along with other employee salaries like custodians and bus drivers, our strategic reserves have been declining. They have now dropped to a point where we need help from taxpayers to continue our investment in employees.

Want to know more about how District Dollars are working for you?  Please visit our Financial Facts from the Board of Education page.